inward

adjective

in·ward | \ˈin-wərd

\

Definition of inward

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : situated on the inside : inner

2a : of or relating to the mind or spirit inward peace

b : absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective

3 : marked by close acquaintance : familiar

4 : directed toward the interior

inward

adverb

\ˈin-wərd

\

variants: or inwards \ˈin-wərdz

\

Definition of inward (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : toward the inside, center, or interior

2 : toward the inner being

inward

noun

Definition of inward (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : something that is inward

2 inwards\ˈin-ərdz, -wərdz\ plural : innards

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about inward

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Synonyms & Antonyms for inward

Synonyms: Adjective

inner, inside, interior, internal

Antonyms: Adjective

exterior, external, outer, outside, outward

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Adjective

moved towards the inward room for more privacy he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet

Adverb

The window faces inward toward the courtyard. He turned his attention inward.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

With just nine races left until the Chase begins, such inward reflection is becoming increasingly important for the native of Monterrey, Mexico. — Deaundra Allen, charlotteobserver, "Suarez looks to use Coke Zero Sugar 400 as stepping stone," 6 July 2018 In front of the wolf, which really is lurking around like an unsubtle metaphor at this point, June emits a primal scream that is an expression of all of her inward trauma. — refinery29.com, "The Handmaid's Tale Season 2, Episode 11 Recap: The Wolf Is A Metaphor," 27 June 2018 Yoga postures that provide an inward rotation of the shoulder, like Cow Face Pose, create balanced flexibility. — Author: Christine Cunningham, Anchorage Daily News, "How the Cow Face Pose can make you a better duck hunter," 19 June 2018 Buy Photo For many Muslims, Ramadan brings a month of inward reflection, a time to get along with one’s fellow man and perform charitable acts. — Allison Steele, Philly.com, "Ramadan a time for peace, joyful celebration - and nightly feasts," 5 June 2018 O'Malley: Lottie is such an inward character that almost everything is outside her comfort zone. — Will Nevin, OregonLive.com, "Interview | Writer Bryan Lee O'Malley, artist Leslie Hung on the second, slimy arc of 'Snotgirl'," 21 May 2018 Europe is waking up to the risks and not just the benefits of inward investment, predominantly from China. — Tory Newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Trump team faces long odds for trade breakthrough in Beijing," 3 May 2018 Ireland’s broadcasting authority and inward investment lobby group also met with media companies in London this week, explaining their regulatory approach and how to apply for broadcast licenses. — Bloomberg.com, "Estonia Joins Race to Woo Broadcasters Mulling Brexit Move," 3 Apr. 2018 Some impetus for an inward move stems from his underwhelming NFL combine measurements. — Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas OT Williams could go in first round of NFL Draft," 24 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Starships will always jump to light speed and boldly go, but the franchising of outer space by the Marvels and the Disneys has pushed our more inventive creators inward. — Jason Kehe, WIRED, "Sci-Fi Invades Netflix—as They Both Invade Your Home," 9 July 2018 What journalists don’t often do is look inward at ourselves or at our colleagues. — Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, "The column I won’t write because of a troll with a gun," 4 July 2018 The album sharply focuses on mental health in deeply self-reflective lyrics that find Kanye looking inward at a tumultuous phase in his life. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, "Pusha T & Drake's Feud, Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music Domination, XXXTentacion's Death, 'Scorpion' & More: Recapping a Wild 40 Days in Hip-Hop," 2 July 2018 In the beginning, John Snowden’s son lay motionless, his eyes closed, his hands clenched, his feet curved inward. — Helen Ubiñas, Philly.com, "Father of man Tased by police stands endless bedside vigil | Helen Ubiñas," 29 June 2018 There’s also concern that AMLO is too inward looking, when global economies are so deeply intertwined. — Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, "Mexico's man of the people – with an ego," 29 June 2018 This pushed bone fragments inward, but things were narrower on the inner surface where the spear tip had come out the other side and pushed bone fragments outward. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Archaeologists armed with spears demonstrate how Neanderthals hunted," 28 June 2018 His main thing is Transcendental Meditation®, which, by definition, is inward-oriented. — Thomas Harlander, Los Angeles Magazine, "Maybe We Should Take David Lynch’s Thoughts on Trump with a Grain of Salt," 27 June 2018 Each planet carries its own kind of energy, and retrograde just turns that energy inward or slows it down. — Claire Comstock-gay, The Cut, "How Much Will Mars Retrograde Ruin My Life?," 26 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Aikens rallied on his inward nine and squared up his match vs. O’Leary with a birdie on No. — Mia Berry, BostonGlobe.com, "Defending MassAm champion Matt Parziale falls in quarters," 12 July 2018 July’s promise to you is something far greater and more enduring, and the temporary discomfort of quieting down and turning inwards will be well worth it. — Bess Matassa, Teen Vogue, "Monthly Lovescopes July 2018," 2 July 2018 And so, in the months since my own diagnosis, my response has been to try and look outwards as well as inwards. — Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, "The Inward Empire," 27 June 2018 The white garage door on the victim's house looked warped inwards, with enough space for someone to enter or exit. — Jordan Cutler-tietjen, sacbee, "His friend said he wasn't returning calls. Homicide detectives now are investigating his death.," 24 June 2018 Do it: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a dumbbell in your right hand, palm facing inwards towards the torso. — Emily Abbate, GQ, "The Best Abs Workouts: GQ’s Definitive Guide to Getting a Ripped Stomach," 14 June 2018 Turn it around so that the zipper or opening faces inwards, making discreet access harder. — Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Reality of In-Flight Theft," 18 May 2018 Unfortunately, Purser’s obsessive thoughts began focusing inwards. — Meagan Fredette, refinery29.com, "Shannon Purser Wants To Remind Everyone OCD Is About More Than Compulsions," 5 May 2018 Meanwhile, Chinese state media and government officials have seized on the dispute as an opportunity to portray China as a champion of free trade at a time when the US is turning inwards. — Michael Holtz, The Christian Science Monitor, "US versus China: How a tussle for advantage fuels risk of a trade war," 12 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of inward was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for inward

inward

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of inward

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of or relating to a person's mind or spirit

: directed or moving toward the inside of something

inward

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of inward (Entry 2 of 2)

: toward the inside of something

: toward the mind or spirit

See the full definition for inward in the English Language Learners Dictionary

inward

adjective

in·ward | \ˈin-wərd

\

Kids Definition of inward

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : toward the inside or center an inward curve

2 : of or concerning the mind or spirit He felt inward joy.

inward

adverb

variants: or inwards \-wərdz \

Kids Definition of inward (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : toward the inside or center The door opens inward.

2 : toward the mind or spirit I turned my thoughts inward.

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